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The shooting happened in south Sacramento County at the intersection of Palmer House and Loucreta drives about 11 p.m. Wednesday.

Deputy Jason Ramos said the father was driving when someone from another car started firing.

"He was just driving home from our fireworks show then, out of nowhere, they started shooting," said Monessa Carthen, the boy's aunt.

The car with the 3-year-old boy was hit multiple times.

The father drove the boy to a hospital, where he died from his injuries.

The coroner identified the child as Jorge Azios.

"The boy was tired but wanted to stop at Taco Bell. His dad bought him a couple of tacos for the ride home," said Virginia Gonzales, the victim's grandmother.

Deputies are asking for help with finding the responsible party for this shooting.

"He was a happy boy ... God is going to punish whoever did this," said Gonzales.

They do not know what type of vehicle the gunshots came from or how many people were inside.

The victim's father appears to have been the likely intended target, said Sacramento County Sheriff's spokesman Jason Ramos.

Ramos said detectives are searching for three men, Gabriel Quintero, 20, Eric Minjares, 17, and Marcus Weber, 16, in connection with the shooting.

Deputies said Quintero is a Hispanic male, about 6 feet tall and weighs 180 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes, while Minjares is about 5 feet 7 inches tall and weighs 135 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. Weber is described as a black male, about 5 feet 7 inches tall and weighs 140 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes.

Detectives said the three were believed to have been driving a 1999 white Ford Expedition on the night of the shooting.

Ramos said detectives are looking into the possibility the incident was a gang-related shooting.

People who live in the area said Loucreta Drive is a haven for crime activity.

"You don't want to go down there at night," said neighbor Don Cumbuss.

Neighbors said they once had a neighborhood watch program, but not any more.

"People just aren't interested. Everyone is into their own thing,"said resident Pearl Torres.

Dozens attended a candlelight vigil for Jorge on Thursday night.

"Pray for the gunman who did this. We have to forgive him also," said Barbara Hester, who attended the vigil.

The sheriff's office reports having nearly a dozen detectives dedicated to the homicide case.

Anyone with information on the incident or the whereabouts of the three men is asked to call the Sheriff's Homicide Bureau at 916-874-5115 or the Major Crimes Bureau's tip line at 916-874-3152.